Natural fear of pirates

After the start of operation of the first national satellite of Azerbaijan in the administrative, and, possibly, in the criminal law of the country will be responsible for the legality of the rate of service of satellite television and Internet access.

According to the Head of the Commercial Department of the state company "Azerkosmos" Ruslan Aliyev in an interview on the page http://www.comnews.ru/node/68561, after starting AzerSat selling illegal services may become criminal.

He noted that since the launch of the satellite AzerSat authorities will block, in particular, the Russian operator "NTV-Plus" feature to broadcast in Azerbaijan. "Of course, to bring in Azerbaijan receiver of this operator in private and watch" NTV-Plus "home will be possible, but when you try to sell equipment that operator liability will arise until his arrest," he said.

According to the State Statistics Committee in 2011, the satellite TV is watched by about one third (33.7%) of the population, most of whom (51%) is in rural areas. According to Ruslan Aliyev, there are many Russian-speaking people, and Russian TV is second in popularity only after Turkish TV channels.

In "NTV-Plus" reacted calmly to prevent Aliyev, saying that the company has officially provides services and sells equipment only in Russia and Ukraine. "Signal in the European part of the continent that satellites Eutelsat W4 and Eutelsat W7," said the press officer, "NTV-Plus", refusing to comment on whether it is possible reception in other neighboring countries, and how can be an informal announcement. As follows from the map of the coverage that is available on the company website, reception is possible in Azerbaijan, and the services of local operators are illegal.

The ability to connect Russian satellite television in Azerbaijan also exists on the website ComNews. Local firms to install satellite television buy equipment sold by most of the Russian satellite operators, including NTV-Plus, Tricolor TV and Rainbow TV. The press-service of Tricolor TV told reporters of ComNews that they officially broadcast only in Russia. "We fight against illegal broadcasting, if these facts are revealed," said an employee of Tricolor, refusing to disclose the details.

As previously reported ComNews, the start of AzerSat was postponed several times. Initially, the Ministry of Communications of Azerbaijan hoped to send him to the point of 46 g. East back in 2010, and then announced to postpone the start of December 2011, after this launch date was moved again - this time on 2013

AzerSat will have three beams directed at Europe, Asia and Africa. With its launch of Azerbaijan plans to not only provide the country with satellite services, but also to enter the international market for television and Internet access services. - 17D-